Weston teachers honored by learning center students
By JENNIFER L. BERGHOM COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER

Amanda Blyskal, 10, a fourthgrader at Country Isles Elementary School in Weston had the chance recently to thank her teacher Debbie Hopp.  Blyskal chose Hopp as her favorite teacher and she was honored at the Educational & Diagnostic Services (EDS) Inc.'s first Favorite Teacher Party.  "She's nice and gives us fun and educational field trips," said Blyskal. Hopp said her class recently went to St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center as part of a project the class is working on.   "I feel so special and honored," said Hopp, "She's had five other years of teachers and she chose me. I must be doing something right."  Hopp said her class uses computers to assist them on projects. They have used the Internet to research information on Florida and used HyperStudio, a multimedia program to put together a slide show "We're really into using the Internet," she said.

"The response has been fantastic," said Leslie "Cookie" Davis, co-owner of EDS. "We did the basic planning, the students wrote letters to the teachers."  EDS is owned and operated by Davis and Sandi Sirotowitz, M. Ed.  Certified teachers work with students in grades 1-12 at the learning centers, located in Weston and Plantation to develop their math, reading and writing skills.

According to Sirotowitz, more than 100 people, including students, parents and teachers attended the party held at the Plantation learning center. "We expected 10 to 15 teachers. We never expected such a wonderful show-up," said Sirotowitz.
The learning center also helps high school students prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and works with students on study strategies. EDS has been in Plantation for 22 years and opened an office in Weston three years ago at 1087 Shotgun Road, Davis said.

Plantation resident Kevin Korgaonkar, 13 said he chose his honors math teacher, Chris Temar as his favorite teacher because " he's cool and he's funny."  "I learn a lot in his class," said the American Heritage School seventh-grader.
Temar said this was his second year teaching at the school.  "I'm honored, it's a good reward for a teacher," said Temar, "He (Kevin) is a good student, very well mannered. He does very well."

Erica Alexander, a third-grade teacher at Eagle Point Elementary, said she was going to laminate the letter her student, Kelly Mclntyre, 9, gave her. "In seven years (of teaching) I've gotten a lot of notes, but not something like this," Alexander said.
Mclntyre said she chose Alexander as her favorite teacher because "she is nice." She wrote in her letter her favorite thing about the class is the homework reward the children receive if they do all their work.  "I think it's wonderful," said Mclutyre's mother, Chris. "Kelly is proud of everything she does. I think it (EDS) is wonderful; the staff is incredible, great to work with."

Ever since she was young, Seminole Middle School teacher Brenda Booker had always wanted to be a teacher.
"I was predestined," said Booker.  Although Keri Reeves, the student who nominated her was unable to attend the event, Booker said she was honored to be chosen. "I didn't become a teacher to get recognized, but it's rewarding," she said. Booker said this was the first time in her 16 years of teaching she received this kind of recognition.

Fourth-grader Ashley Keene chose Natacha Bonaventure as her favorite teacher. "I had her for a long time," said Keene. Bonaventure was her teacher for Pre-K and second grade at St. Bonaventure.  "I think it's a great big honor. I'm going to frame the letter she sent me," said Bonaventure.